Aquatic Resources Malta launches new project for diversification of fish species in Maltese aquaculture

The Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Animal Rights, Alicia Bugeja Said, has announced a new project aimed at diversifying fish species in aquaculture, focusing on the Red Porgy and Greater Amberjack.

This project, co-financed by European funds, is being carried out by the Aquatic Resources Malta agency at its laboratory located at San Luċjan Tower. It will introduce two new species to local aquaculture: the Greater Amberjack (Seriola dumerili) and the Red Porgy (Pagrus pagrus).

The Parliamentary Secretary expressed her satisfaction with the agency’s work, highlighting that such projects contribute to Malta’s progress in aquaculture development. She explained that the main goal of this initiative is to enhance the resilience and competitiveness of the Maltese aquaculture sector through research and innovation in key areas such as reproduction, breeding, nutrition, and fish health.

“This project demonstrates our country’s continuous commitment to maintaining aquaculture as a sustainable, innovative, and forward-looking sector. The work being carried out not only prepares the industry for global competition but also ensures that Malta remains among the leading nations investing in advanced research for fish production through more efficient and sustainable methods,” said Parliamentary Secretary Bugeja Said.

The CEO of Aquatic Resources Malta, Frank Fabri, explained that the project began with a call for interest addressed to MFA and MFB fishers, who were asked to collect Greater Amberjack and Red Porgy samples between September and October 2024. These samples were placed in quarantine until they reached the appropriate size and were then transferred to specialized tanks for the first phase of the reproduction process. Fabri stated that the ultimate goal is to obtain fish eggs, rear the larvae, and complete the full reproduction cycle of these species within local aquaculture facilities.

“As part of this initiative, a market study is also being conducted to identify and acquire specialized equipment that will strengthen the capacity of laboratories and fish farming facilities. This investment will ensure the long-term sustainability of this innovative project,” concluded Dr. Frank Fabri.